Template Policy on Dispatch Response

 to a Multiple Victim Incident

 

 

The following template policy is provided as a guide to Dispatch Centers so that they can adapt this policy to the unique situation of each Dispatch Center. It is the intent that all Dispatch Centers, to the extent possible, follow these procedures across the state so that there is consistency and integration of response. It is the hope of the State Expert Panel that only immaterial parts of this policy will be changed while holding fast to the material elements.

 

Policy: It is the policy of the (name) Dispatch Center to have in place procedures for implementation in a Multiple Victim Incident so that the response of the (name) Dispatch Center can be consistent and integrated with the response of other Dispatch Centers, involved in this incident.

 

Definitions:

 

Dispatch Center: This is the 9-1-1 call center also know as the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)

 

Liaison: a person sent to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by the Dispatch Center when the Mass Casualty Staffing and Response Plan is implemented to help coordinate resources between the Dispatch Center and the EOC

 

MABAS: The “Mutual Aid Box Alarm System” coordinates the effective and efficient provision of mutual aid during emergencies, natural disasters and man-made catastrophes

 

Mass Casualty Incident: This is any incident that has the potential for overwhelming the resources of a Dispatch Center

 

Mass Casualty Staffing and Response Plan: the plan for the Dispatch Center to bring in additional staffing and resources, if it believes that it may be overwhelmed by the incident

           

Multiple Victim Incident: any incident that involves the transport of five (5) or more victims to one or more hospitals

 

 

 

 

 

 

Procedure: The (name) Dispatch Center implements the following procedures in a Multiple Victim Incident.

 

1.                  The first on-scene makes an initial assessment whether the incident is a Multiple Victim Incident.

 

a.       Initial assessment is usually made by an emergency responder first-on-scene, e.g. law enforcement, EMS. The first-on-scene responder then notifies the (name) Dispatch Center.

 

b.      The (name) Dispatch Center may make this assessment, if the caller is a civilian and provides credible evidence that a Multiple Victim Incident has occurred.

 

c.       If it is assessed that there is not a Multiple Victim Incident, then the (name) Dispatch Center activates the local response plan.

 

2.                  The (name) Dispatch Center, upon receiving notification that there is a Multiple Victim Incident, will clarify

 

a.       the location of the incident

 

b.      the type of incident

 

c.       the extent of the incident as regards to

 

                                                   i.      the number of potential victims

                                                 ii.      the area of the incident

 

3.                  The (name) Dispatch Center begins to notify the following entities that a Multiple Victim Incident is occurring (the list of entities to be contacted along with their telephone numbers should be included as an addendum to this policy):

 

a.       Tier 1:

 

                                                   i.      Law Enforcement (the Dispatch Center will call out the number of resources as needed by the incident)

 

                                                 ii.      HazMat (the Dispatch Center will call out the number of resources as needed by the incident)

 

                                                iii.      EMS (the Dispatch Center will call out the number of resources as needed by the incident)

 

                                               iv.      Air Transport (the Dispatch Center will call out the number of resources as needed by the incident)

 

b.      Tier 2:

 

                                                   i.      Hospitals (the Dispatch Center is to identify hospitals in its service area in concentric rings so that the Dispatch Center can notify the first ring of hospitals and, if necessary, the second ring of hospitals)

 

                                                 ii.      Emergency Management (the Dispatch Center will notify the Emergency Management Director in its jurisdiction so that the Emergency Management Director may determine the need to open the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

 

                                                iii.      Utilities (the Dispatch Center will call out the number of resources as needed by the incident)

 

4.                  If it is assessed that there is a Multiple Victim Incident and the (name) Dispatch Center asses that the (name) Dispatch Center may be overwhelmed because of the potential number of victims and response assets involved, then the (name) Dispatch Center may activate its Mass Casualty Staffing and Response Plan to maximize staffing and to bring in additional resources, as needed.

 

a.       The (name) Dispatch Center will refer to its “Mass Casualty Staffing and Response Plan – (see template Policy).

 

b.      The (name) Dispatch Center is to have a “Directory of Resources” (this is usually available through the local Emergency Management Director.)

 

5.                  The (name) Dispatch Center

 

a.       may activate MABAS or its local equivalent[1], if so directed by the Incident Commander

 

b.      if the local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated, the Dispatch Center will be assisted with the coordination of resources necessary to manage the incident.

 

                                                   i.      The (name) Dispatch Center may send a Liaison to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to better coordinate the role of the (name) Dispatch Center in the incident

 

                                                 ii.      This Liaison position will allow for one consistent contact between the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the (name) Dispatch Center

 

c.       if the local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is NOT activated, the Dispatch Center will follow the directions, provided by the Incident Commander, until or if the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated or when the Incident Commander calls for the “stand down” of the incident.

 

6.                  The (name) Dispatch Center is to participate in the After Action Report and address any corrective actions that are identified in the After Action Report for the (name) Dispatch Center.

 


[1] MABAS is active in some areas of the state. Other areas of the state may have an equivalent to MABAS that allows for the orderly allocation of assets.